Rule of Mixtures

Composite stiffness can be predicted using a micro-mechanics approach termed the rule
of mixtures.
Assumptions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the matrix.

Perfect bonding between fibers and matrix.
Matrix is free of voids.
Applied loads are either parallel or normal to the fiber direction.
Lamina is initially in a stress-free state (no residual stresses).
Fiber and matrix behave as linearly elastic materials.

Longitudinal Modulus
Equal strain assumption: c = f = m
2

Matrix

Fiber

Matrix
L

Representative Volume Element (RVE)

Static equilibrium requires that the total resultant force on the element must equal the
sum of the forces acting on the fiber and matrix.

C1 Ac = F 1 AF + M 1 AM
C1

= F 1 AF
A
+ M 1 M
AC
AC

Where, AC, AF, AM are composite, fiber, and matrix cross sections. Then, we can also
say that:
VF = AF/AC and VM = AM/AC where VF and VM are volume fractions and not volumes of
fiber and matrix.

Invoking Hookes Law, we get

EC1C1 = EF1

F1VF + EM1 M1VM

Then, to have strain compatibility, we have to assume that the average strains in the
composite, fiber, and matrix along the 1-direction are equal. Therefore,
EC1 = EF1 VF + EM1 VM = EF1 VF + EM1 (1-VF) -- Parallel combination rule of mixtures

Therefore, the fraction of load carried by fibers in a unidirectional continuous fiber

lamina is

PF
F VF
=
PC F V F + M (1
VF )

EF
V
EM F
+ (1 V F )

E F VF
=
E F V F + E M (1 V F E F
E F
)
V M

If you assume wood-plastic composite and that EF is 1,000,000 psi and Em is 175,000 psi
(HDPE for example), then
PF
6V F
=
PC 6V F + (1 V F )
Then, PF/PC = 0.6 or 60%
Strength Unidirectional Continuous Fiber Lamina:
In general, fiber failure strain is lower than the matrix failure strain. Assuming all fibers
have the same strength, the tensile rupture of fibers will determine the rupture in the
composite.
Therefore, estimation of longitudinal tensile strength could be calculated as
LTU = FU + M' (1 VF )
VF
'

Where FU is the fiber tensile strength and M is matrix stress at fiber failure strain.
For effective reinforcement of the matrix (i.e., LTU MU ), the VF must be greater than
the critical value defined as:
CriticalV F =

'
'
FU M

V. Yadama, CE 537, Fall 2007

Transverse Modulus
2

Matrix
W

Fiber
Matrix

2
Representative Volume Element (RVE)
Geometric compatibility requires that the total transverse composite displacement in the
2-direction, C2, must equal the sum of the corresponding transverse displacements in the
fiber, F2, and the matrix, M2.
Therefore, C2 = F2 + M2
But, F2 = 2/EF2 and M2 = M2/EM2
C2 = 2W = VFWF2 +VMWM2
or
Invoking Hookes Law:
C2 F2
M2
=
VM
F +
V
EC 2 E F 2
EM 2
But, C 2 = F 2 = M 2
Therefore,
1
1 V F + 1 (1 V F )
=
EC 2 E F 2
EM 2
or
EC 2 =

E F2E M2
E F 2VM + E M 2V F

Series combination rule of mixtures

2 = VFF2 + VMM2

Assumptions are not so good:

Transverse strain mismatch exists at the boundary between fiber and matrix
Transverse stresses may not be same as VF VM
Poissons Ratio is not the same which would cause shear stress between fiber and
matrix
Fibers do not contribute significantly, matrix dominated.
Poissons Ratio

2
W

Matrix
W

Matrix
L
Representative Volume Element (RVE)

F =M
Macroscopically,
W = W 2 = W 12 1
But, microscopically
W = MW + FW
FW = WV
F F 1
MW = WVM M 1
Therefore,
+ F VF
12 = M
VM
and

21 =

Fiber

E 22

E11 12

Neither fiber nor matrix dominate the composite 12

Shear Modulus
Presume that the shearing stresses on the fiber and on the matrix are the same (which is
clearly not the case).

Matrix
W

Matrix
Fiber

Fiber

M/2

Matrix

Matrix

Then, M =

=
and F G F
GM

Total shear deformation on a macroscopic scale would be = W

On a macroscopic scale M = V W and = V W
M

Then, because = M + and dividing by W, we get

F
= VM M + VF F
But,

G12
Therefore,

= VM
+ VF
G12
GM
GF
Therefore,
GM GF
G12 =
VM GF + VF
GM
=

G12 is matrix dominated and is a series combination like E2.